The beloved BBC broadcaster has now emerged as the frontrunner to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing, according to the latest odds
A BBC star has emerged as the new favourite to replace Tess and Claudia on Strictly.
Fans of the BBC show were shocked in October when hosts Tess and Claudia announced that they were quitting after this year’s series. They bid us farewell during the Christmas special just days after the show’s final, which saw Lioness Karen Carney lift the glitterball.
Fans have been speculating about who could replace the pair and present the show when it returns next year. The likes of Rylan Clark, Fleur East and even Lioness Alex Scott have been suggested.
But Zoe Ball has now been revealed as the frontrunner by the bookies at Poker Scout. They’ve now slashed her odds from 9/2 to 6/4, making her the “clear favourite” to take over.
Looking at the odds, spokesperson for Poker Scout, Jeffrey McMillan said: Zoe Ball’s odds have shortened again to become the next Strictly presenter from 9/2 into 6/4, making her the clear favourite to take over on the show next year after her Radio 2 exit.
“Alex Jones has emerged as a major contender at 5/2 despite not previously featuring in the market, which suggests there’s real belief she’s now firmly in the frame.”
He added: “Alan Carr remains prominent at 3/1, and his recent win on The Traitors – a show hosted by Claudia Winkleman – has strengthened the narrative that he could follow her by stepping into another flagship BBC role. Bradley Walsh has also shortened into 4/1, underlining the feeling that the BBC could opt for a proven prime-time favourite.”
Zoe has a lot of history with Strictly, having appeared on Strictly in 2005 and hosted spin-off show It Takes Two from 2011 until 2021. Her famous dad Johnny Ball has even admitted she’s “in the mix” for the job.
Discussing the prospect of Zoe advancing to host the main show, he told the Express : “Nothing’s going to be decided until after Easter, but she’s in the mix, and people are coming to her, but it’s too early to say.”
He added: “I think she would love it, I think she would love the job because she took over from Claudia on It Takes Two, and if anything, she did a better job than Claudia.”
Zoe just signed off from her Radio 2 show on Saturday 20 December 2025. She told listeners: “I have loved being betwixt my dear friends Romesh (Ranganathan) and Rylan (Clark), and you know, I love you all to bits, but I’m not disappearing completely.
“Obviously, it’ll be Christmas Crooners and I’m doing an eras show in the new year, more on that later. But I am thrilled to tell you that you will be in the safest of hands, because there is a super woman who is no stranger to you all, but this does mean that she will officially become a member of the Radio 2 family.
“You’ll have loved her on The Voice, The Circle, Big Brother, Cooking With The Stars, Love Is blind, and delivering babies, she’s a gorgeous lass so welcome to the BBC Radio 2 family and Saturday afternoons, Emma Willis.”
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here .
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
